Quebec’s immigration ministry has confirmed that, effective 1 January 2026, international students will have to demonstrate at least CAD 24,617 in available living-expense funds—up from CAD 11,000 for adults and just CAD 6,679 for minors today. The revised amounts apply both at the provincial Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) stage and when applicants file their federal study-permit request with IRCC.
The change follows a provincial cost-of-living study that found many students underestimate housing and food costs, leading to financial distress and illegal off-campus work. Universities and cégeps have lobbied for higher thresholds to reduce drop-out rates and tutoring costs.
![Quebec Triples Proof-of-Funds Threshold for International Students]()
For education agents and global mobility managers, the steeper requirement will raise the upfront cash flow burden on scholarship programs and corporate-sponsored assignees. Employers sending dependents to study in Quebec may need to adjust relocation budgets or offer additional allowances. Failure to furnish updated proof of funds could result in permit refusals or delays, jeopardising January 2026 intake plans.
Quebec joins British Columbia and Ontario in moving toward province-specific financial benchmarks that exceed IRCC’s national minimums, signalling a fragmentation that international recruiters must monitor closely.
The change follows a provincial cost-of-living study that found many students underestimate housing and food costs, leading to financial distress and illegal off-campus work. Universities and cégeps have lobbied for higher thresholds to reduce drop-out rates and tutoring costs.
For education agents and global mobility managers, the steeper requirement will raise the upfront cash flow burden on scholarship programs and corporate-sponsored assignees. Employers sending dependents to study in Quebec may need to adjust relocation budgets or offer additional allowances. Failure to furnish updated proof of funds could result in permit refusals or delays, jeopardising January 2026 intake plans.
Quebec joins British Columbia and Ontario in moving toward province-specific financial benchmarks that exceed IRCC’s national minimums, signalling a fragmentation that international recruiters must monitor closely.
